Travel & Lodging

Travel Arrangements

Under current U.S. law, 12 categories of authorized travel to Cuba are allowed:

Family visits

Official business of the U.S. government, foreign governments, and certain intergovernmental organizations

Journalistic activity

Professional research and professional meetings

Educational activities

Religious activities

Public performances, clinics, workshops, athletic and other competitions, and exhibitions

Support for the Cuban people

Humanitarian projects

Activities of private foundations or research or educational institutes

Exportation, importation, or transmission of information or informational materials

Certain authorized export transactions

All students traveling to Cuba as part of the study abroad program require two documents:

A US government affidavit stating they you are going to Cuba under category # 5 (educational activities). You can secure that affidavit either online from the US government Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), or from the airline / air carrier you are flying to Havana.

You also need a Cuban visa or permit by the Cuban government to enter Cuba.

You can secure this document also from the air carrier/airline you are using. For questions, please contact the air carrier you are using. Currently, most US airlines have regularly scheduled flights to Cuba, and you can make reservations and purchase your Cuba tickets online.

If you wish to have the help of a professional travel agent to make your travel reservations to Cuba and/or secure the above two documents, you can contact:

Lodging

Students are free to explore options likely to be much less expensive than regular hotels through Airbnb. In fact, last year, all of the program’s students used the services of Airbnb to secure housing. Airbnb is authorized by the US government to operate in Cuba, and it provides access to reasonably priced private lodgings with hospitable Cuban families. Neighborhoods that are within reasonable distance of the University of Havana include Vedado, Malecon, Centro Habana, y Habana Vieja. The Havana public transportation system is unreliable, so students should make every effort to live within reasonable walking distance of the University.

The University of Havana's address is: Corner of L and 27 streets. Participants should use Google Maps to track the address of the university in relation to any private lodgings they may be considering.